Miller School Otolaryngologists Recognized for Research, Leadership at Combined Otolaryngology Spring Meeting

Otolaryngologists at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine were recognized for their scientific research and leadership roles at the 2023 Combined Otolaryngology Spring Meeting (COSM), held recently in Boston.

“I couldn’t more proud of the contributions made by our faculty and trainees to the academic and scientific programs of our major professional otolaryngology societies,” said Fred F. Telischi, M.D., M.E.E., the James R. Chandler Chair in Otolaryngology, chair of otolaryngology and professor of neurological surgery and biomedical engineering. “UHealth was well represented in all facets of this annual national conference, and we received a great deal of positive feedback for our work.”

A premier educational and technology forum hosted by nine subspecialty organizations in otolaryngology and head and neck surgery, COSM brings together faculty, trainees and medical students to share findings aimed at improving patient care.

At the meeting, Dr. Telischi concluded his term as president of the American Neurotology Society (ANS), whose members focus on lateral skull base surgery, ear and hearing surgery and related scientific topics.

“Our roles at the highest levels of organizational leadership continue to increase,” said Dr. Telischi, who awarded six Presidential Citations, including two to Miller School faculty.

Thomas Balkany, M.D., Hotchkiss Professor and chairman emeritus, Department of Otolaryngology, was recognized for his numerous contributions as a surgeon, teacher and innovator in cochlear implantation and neurotology.

Jacques Morcos, M.D., professor and co-chair of neurologic surgery, was honored for his prolific career in cranial base surgery and his collaboration with neurotology colleagues.

New President-Elect for The Trilogical Society

At the spring meeting, Michael Hoffer, M.D., professor of otolaryngology and neurological surgery was elected as president-elect of the American Laryngological, Rhinological and Otological Society, Inc., founded in 1895 in New York and known as The Triological Society.

“It was a great honor to be named to this leadership role in this senior academic organization, which represents the entire ear, nose and throat fields,” he said.

At the ANS annual meeting, Suhrud Rajguru, Ph.D., professor of biomedical engineering and otolaryngology, gave The William House Memorial Lecture, “Found in Translation: At the Intersection of Biomedical Engineering, Audiology and Neurotology.” Another UHealth faculty member, Christine T. Dinh, M.D., associate professor of otolaryngology, participated in the 2022-2023 ANS Scientific Program Committee and the ANS Research Grant Review Committee. Dr. Dinh also participated in a panel discussion about neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2), where she shared insight on building an NFS translational research and clinical program at UHealth.

Corinna Levine, M.D., became the newly elected Research Committee Chair of the American Rhinological Society (ARS), a specialty society that also met during COSM. In her new role, Dr. Levine and her colleagues approved a slate of ARS grants for funding and will develop the agenda for next year’s meeting and set several long-term research infrastructure goals for the skull base and orbital section.

Aida Nourbakhsh, M.D., Ph.D., a fourth-year otolaryngology resident, gave the ANS Research Grant Presentation on “Molecular Mechanisms of Hypofractionation and Radiation Resistance in Vestibular Schwannoma.” She was an ANS 2022 research grant recipient under the mentorship of Dr. Dinh.

UHealth trainees won first and third place in the ANS scientific poster competition. Vivek Kanumuri, M.D., neurotology fellow, won first place for a poster presentation, “Cytokine Profiling of Cyst Fluid and Tumor-Associated Macrophages in Cystic Vestibular Schwannoma.” He represented a large UHealth multidisciplinary team consisting of neurotologists, otologists, neurosurgeons, neuroscientists, audiologists, neuroradiologists, medical students, residents and fellows. James Bao, M.D., neurotology fellow, was awarded third prize for his presentation, “Speech Perception Is Related to Quality of Life after Cochlear Implantation in Older Adults.”

Reflecting on the societies’ combined spring meeting, Dr. Telischi said, “The ‘U’ made a strong impact, and our national reputation was elevated as a result of everyone’s great efforts.”

Tags: American Neurotology Society, American Rhinological Society, Department of Otolaryngology, Dr. Fred Telischi, Dr. Jacques Morcos, The Triological Society